Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, will be the first women's college to sponsor a varsity esports program. The Stars will field an Overwatch team starting in Fall 2017 that will compete in the Tespa series.

Sixteen months ago, Stephens College president Dianne Lynch and her colleagues floated the idea of an esports roster. From there, circumstances came together perfectly. Overwatch, a game lauded for its character diversity and inclusiveness, was a fit for Stephens and a hit with its students. Other colleges across the country, including nearby Columbia College, were quickly picking up scholarship programs. And as the plan came together, there were a lot more why-nots than doubts.